English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
[_They fight: Pike disarmes & tripps him downe_.
_Pike_. Onely a _Devonshire_ hugg, sir:--at your feete
I lay my winnings.
_Tia_. Diable!
[_Exit, biting his thumb[44]; the soldiers stampe_.
_Gyr_. Wilt venter on oanother?
_Pike_. I beseech you
To pardon me, and taske me to no more.
_Alq_. Come, come, one more; looke you, here's a young Cockerell[45]
Comes crowing into the pitt.
[_Another steps in_.
_All_. Prithee, fight with him.
_Pike_. I'me in the Lyon's gripe & to gett from him
There's but one way; that's death.
_Mac_. _English_, What say you? will you fight or no?
_Pike_. Ile fight.
_All_. Give 'em roome! make way there!
_Pike_. Ile fight till every Joynt be cutt in pieces
To please such brave spectators; yes Ile fight
While I can stand, be you but pleasd, my Lords,
The noble Dukes here, to allow me choice
Of my owne Country weapon.
_All_. What?
_Pike_. A Quarter staffe,--this, were the head off.
_Mac_. Off with the head, and roome!
How dost thou like this _Spaniard_?
_Pike_. Well: he's welcome.
Here's my old trusty frend: are there no more?
One! what, but one? why, I shall make no play,
No sport before my princely Judges with one.
More sackes to the Mill! come, another! what, no more?
_Mac_. How many wouldst thou have?
_Pike_. Any number under six.
_All_. Ha, ha, sure he's mad!
_Mac_. Dar'st coape with Three?
_Pike_. Where are they? let 'em shew their faces: so; welcome!
_Mac_. How dost thou like these chickens?
_Pike_. When I have drest them
With sorrell sopps Ile tell you.
_Lady_. Now guard him heaven!
[_Drums. They fight, one is killd, the other 2 disarmed_.
1. Hell take thy Quarter staffe!
2. Pox on thy quarters!
_Mac_. The matter? why this noyse?
[_A noyse within of Diable Englese_.
_Jay_. The soldiers rayle, stampe & stare, and sweare to cutt
His throat for all the Jaylors care of him.
_Mac_. Make proclamation, my lord _Fernando_,
That who soever dares but touch his finger
To hurt him, dyes.
_Fer_. I will, sir. [_Exit_.
_Lady_. This is done nobly.
_Mac_. Here, give him this gold.
_Ten_. The Duke _Macada_ gives you this gold.
_All_. And this.
_Ten_. The Duke of _Medina_ this; Duke _Gyron_ this;
&, looke you, the Marquesse _Alqueveza_ as much as all the rest.
_Alq_. Where's any of my men? give him your Cloake, sirra;
Fetch him cleane Band and Cuffs. I embrace thee, _Pike_;
And hugg thee in my armes: scorne not to weare
A _Spanish_ livery.
_Pike_. Oh, my Lord, I am proud of't.
_Mac_. He shalbe with a Convoy sent to the King.
_Alq_. 4 of my gentlemen shall along with him:
Ile beare thy charges, soldier, to _Madrid_,
5 peeces of 8 a day in travell, &
Lying still thou shalt have halfe that.
_Pike_. On my knees
Your vassaile thankes heaven, you, and these Princes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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